Freddie Mercury was born Farrokh Bulsara on September 5, 1946 in Zanzibar. In the early Seventies he teamed up with guitarist Brian May, drummer Roger taylor and later bassist John Deacon to form Queen - it was around this time that he changed his name legally to Freddie Mercury.

By 1974 Queen were on one of their first major UK tours. Mercury is pictured here Earl's Court, London, where the band played two sold-out shows to round off the tour. All proceeds from these shows went to the The Queen's Silver Jubilee appeal.